Defiance, OH: On Friday, November 11th, 2016 Keller Logistics Group hosted its 2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Dinner to over 250 Veterans and their families. This annual dinner serves as the primary fundraiser for Keller’s philanthropic organization: Operation K.A.V.I.C. – Keller Assists Veterans In Crisis.
Keller requests sponsorships for the dinner from business partners and local businesses in Defiance County. The Operation K.A.V.I.C. fund’s sole purpose is to fill the gaps in VA benefits to prevent local veterans from a financial crisis. Every dollar raised stays in Defiance County and helps the local veterans there. The funds raised for Operation K.A.V.I.C. provide local veterans, reservists, national guardsmen and surviving spouses with money to help with unexpected expenses such as sewer repair, a new furnace or car repair and can also aid with rent, food, medical or dental bills.
Bryan Keller, CEO of Keller Logistics Group, was proud to announce at the end of the dinner that they had successfully raised $39,140! Meredith Mickey, event coordinator stated, “We were very pleased with the turnout for the 2nd Annual Veterans Day Dinner and we surpassed the 2015 fundraising amount by almost $5,000. To date in 2016, we’ve actually raised $40,859. Coupled with funds raised in 2015, we’re over the $75,000 mark in financial aid for our veterans.”
After the check presentation to Tanya Brunner & Erin Clady of the Defiance County Veterans Affairs Office & Katye Katterheinrich of Ravens Care, Tanya Brunner stated, “Mr. Keller and his crew have done an amazing job. This is unique to the state of Ohio to have a charitable fund like this, not only for Veterans but for Active Duty, Reservist & National Guard. We have helped so many families…. I wish they [donors] could see the relief that comes on that persons’ face when they know that they are not alone. That they know their service counted for something in such a tangible way…This has been a Godsend for our office.”
The local UAW 211 Veterans group donated the hall rental and purchased the sandwich buns, Jacob’s Meats donated hot chicken and pork sandwiches, Kirchers Flowers provided the centerpieces, The Hubbard Company and Crescent News donated advertising and Boy Scout Troop 76 sponsored by Saint Mary’s Catholic Church provided the dessert.
Colonel Sponsors for the Veterans Appreciation Dinner were: Stoops Freightliner of Lima, AMRI, First Federal Bank, & Robinson Investments while the Captain Sponsors of the event were: Stykemain Trucks, Double A Trailer, Transwestern, Defiance Rotary Foundation, Strausbaugh Consulting, LLC, Daimler Truck Financial, Schultz Huber & Associates, The Hubbard Company, Keith Hubbard Family Fund, ServiceMaster by McCann, JBO Fine Arts Academy and BMO Transportation Finance.
The 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th, 2017. For a complete list of sponsors and donors, or for more information how the Operation K.A.V.I.C. funds are benefiting Defiance County veterans, visit the Operation K.A.V.I.C. webpage or view the story of Operation K.A.V.I.C. through this blog post on the Keller Logistics Group website.